Update on the Occupational First Aid and First Aid Response Transition Project

PHECC continues to engage with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for the transition of the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Occupational First Aid (OFA) learner training standard to PHECC’s First Aid Response (FAR), as the recognised standard meeting the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007).

 
Please note that a revised timeline has been announced by the HSA, dual recognition of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) SN1207 and PHECC FAR will continue for a further period of 4 months up to 31st December 2017.  Thereafter the HSA has stated it will only recognise the PHECC FAR. 

There are now twenty-nine RIs are approved to deliver FAR provider courses and eleven to deliver FAR instructor courses. We are continuing to process applications for RI status and delivery of FAR courses.  A substantial number of new FAR instructors have been certified, made up of existing OFA instructors who transitioned to FAR status by mean of recognition of prior learning (RPL) and successful candidates who completed the FAR instructor course. 
PHECC has received stakeholder feedback over the course of the transition, this feedback will be included in the planned Education and Standards Committee review of the FAR Standard in association with other related Committee and Council work for 2017.

Updates regarding the transition for OFA to FAR will be shared on the PHECC website and Facebook. Queries should be sent to far@phecc.ie.